Mostly In films of AR Murugadoss, justice can’t be delivered in the right way. Juct check out his previous movies like Ramana, Thuppakki or Kaththi, his leading characters have to break law to ensure the justice is served.
And that’s the same way which is happening in Darbar too, where an furious cop goes on a deadly frenzy to bring down a most-wanted criminal. Directly in the opening scenes, ARM sets up that his hero Aaditya Arunasalam (Rajinikanth), a top cop who has been deputed to Mumbai to handle the medication threat in the city, isn’t somebody who passes by the standard book. Actually, we see him undermining and messing up the individuals from the Human Rights Commission who question him about his standard breaking (The film attempts to extend Arunasalam as an intellectually upset individual to legitimize his extrajudicial killings).In the course of one of his operations, Arunasalam nabs Ajay Malhotra (Prateik Babbar), the son of Vijay Malhotra (Nawab Shah), a top businessman, who happens to be the chief drug supplier in the city. But when Ajay is eliminated, Hari Chopra (Suniel Shetty), a dreaded gangster who turned the police force into a laughing stock 27 years earlier, returns to the country to settle what has become a personal score by targeting Arunasalam and his daughter Valli (Nivetha Thomas).
Taking his lead from Karthik Subbaraj’s Petta, Murugadoss turns Darbar into a celebration of Rajinikanth, the Superstar. Though he doesn’t turn this film into a greatest hits collection like the former film, Murugadoss exploits the charisma and superstardom of Rajinikanth and gives us a genre film — a cop film — that is a fairly engaging commercial cocktail of action and drama hemmed by uneven writing. The film’s strongest selling point are the father-daughter scenes between Rajinikanth and Nivetha Thomas, whose onscreen camaraderie, makes this relationship endearing. Murugadoss also gives us a truly heartbreaking moment and Nivetha Thomas is fantastic in her scenes.
Darbar is also alert to its hero’s age in real life. This is why the romantic track, between Arunasalam and Lily (Nayanthara, in a character that is simply a showpiece), is enjoyable. It is filled with Rajinikanth’s trademark playfulness and Yogi Babu, teaming up with the Superstar for the first time as the comic sidekick, clicks. Even as we marvel at the miraculous youthfulness of Rajinikanth in these portions (a splendid job by the cinematography, makeup and the costume departments), we get a scene where a character remarks at the age difference between the two. The dignified manner in which this scene addresses this issue ensures that fans don’t take it as an insult to their idol. Later, Murugadoss even gets Rajini to remark on his age: “Nambaravanukku vayasu verum number dhaan” (“Age is just a number to one with confidence”).
Some Unwanted scenes are avoided in the movie considering the real age of super star with lily(Nayanthara). But he movie is loaded up with Rajinikanth’s trademark energy and Yogi Babu, collaborating with the Superstar just because as the comic sidekick. Indeed, even as we wonder about the marvelous energy of Rajinikanth in these segments (a magnificent activity by the cinematography, cosmetics and the outfit offices), we get a scene where a character comments at the age distinction between the two. The dignified manner in which this scene addresses this issue ensures that fans don’t take it as an insult to their idol. Afterward, Murugadoss even gets Rajini to comment on his age: “Nambaravanukku vayasu verum number dhaan” (“Age is only a number to one with certainty”).
But the film has filled with some solid middle section, and also has some emotional & whistle-worthy moments, including a training montage where we get to see Rajini flexing his muscles, before we saw such scenes in Padayappa. One of the fight sequence which set in a railway station were awesomely captured by Santosh sivan. Seems like the film has the weakest introduction scene and song for Super star in a while. Some of the Bollywood actors seem to be speaking in Hindi, that leads to lack of lip-sync. Nayanthara came just like a cameo and she does her role what is needed for the story and doesn’t puts a break to the film.
Nivetha thomas is one of the perfect find for rajini’s daughter in this film and her character is really impressive.
Suniel Shetty (Hari Chopra) as villain doesn’t come across as a powerful antagonist despite being some built up on his intro scene. Yes, he causes numerous casualties, but still, the lack of a solid confrontation scene between him and Aadithya Arunasalam makes it difficult for us see him as deadly one. I believe that seems to be weakest point for this film. But if this minor disappointment is washed away, it is only because of how Rajinikanth plays this character.
Climax, fight is much impressive considering to rajini’s age, but the end could been better. We may seen some shades of Alex Pandian character, there is also vulnerability.
Atlast the movie is a worth watchable for Super star & neutral fans considering the “Mass Elements” inside the film.
Nowadays, We try to see logic in every scene surely we miss the magic on screens. so let’s throw some minor logic away and watch this festival treat of super star & ARM’s combo DARBAR….
